Cargo Ship Freed off Barbers Point

Published:
14 February 2005

The cement ship grounded off Kalaeloa more than a week ago is finally free, but worries persist over whether it caused any damage to the reef. The MV Cape Flattery floated freely after three tug boats helped move the vessel early this morning. More than 7000t of cement were removed from the ship while it sat there, virtually immobile. "The concern is how much of the total cargo of cement went into the ocean, and then the other concern is how much damage to the reef did this 500ft ship do as it moved back and forth across the bottom?" said William Aila, Waianae harbormaster. Aila says the area is home to coral heads that are several hundred years old. The Coast Guard says the official investigation into what happened could take weeks.